The Super Late Model racing scene witnessed a significant shift in late 2018 when Hamke Racecars and Parts Inc took the reins of the Rowdy chassis. Since then, the company has been making a distinctive mark, championing driver safety, advanced engineering, and unparalleled customer support. This commitment was vividly demonstrated during the 2020 Snowball Derby when veteran racer Boris Jurkovic endured a severe crash in a Rowdy car.
Cody Glick, General Manager at Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc in Mooresville, North Carolina, described Jurkovic’s impact as “one of the three worst” he had ever witnessed. Despite the car being totaled, Jurkovic reported feeling only body soreness a week later, highlighting the protective capabilities of the Rowdy chassis.
“The Rowdy car did well,” Jurkovic affirmed. “I hit it pretty hard, but everything did what it should.”
Justin Oertel, owner of Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc, alongside Glick, emphasized to PRI Magazine that Jurkovic’s experience underscores the company’s deep-seated focus on driver safety. This priority is meticulously engineered into every one of the 55 Rowdy chassis crafted by Hamke.
“If things were done like they were done five years ago, he would have gotten hurt,” Glick stated, emphasizing the advancements in safety incorporated into Rowdy chassis. “One thing that really stands out for us is safety. That’s something we really strived to focus on.”
While driver safety remains paramount, Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc also aims to propel more racers to victory in Rowdy cars. This ambition is backed by tangible results: a Rowdy car clinched the Snowflake 100 title in December, and Rowdy cars secured 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th positions at the 2020 Snowball Derby, all at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. Glick is already setting sights high for the upcoming year’s Snowball Derby.
“I set a goal each year for how many cars we have at the Snowball Derby,” he explained. “For 2019, I projected 10, and we had eight. I projected 20 for 2020, and we had 18. We want to have 30 at the 2021 Derby.”
To reach this ambitious target, Oertel and Glick understand that a multi-faceted approach is crucial. They highlighted that superior chassis quality, refined aerodynamics, and comprehensive customer support are key elements in the Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc strategy for Rowdy chassis success.
Legacy of Racing Excellence at Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc
Justin Oertel’s deep roots in racing span decades. Alongside his business partner, Chrystal Beinlich, Oertel has been a long-time supporter of race teams. Two decades ago, they established CJ Materials and Recycling, a concrete recycling firm in Lincolnshire, Illinois, which became a sponsor for various racing teams. This passion evolved into building race cars for customers, encompassing everything from engines to chassis. Oertel also manages Hamner Sealed Engines, also located in Lincolnshire, further demonstrating his comprehensive involvement in the racing industry.
“We wanted to make racing better for everybody,” Oertel explained. “We spent a lot of our own money to do that, but we couldn’t have done it without Cody and our employees; and Chrystal is a big part of what we do. I wouldn’t be here without her.”
In 2018, Oertel and Beinlich acquired Hamke Racecars and Parts from the esteemed racer and car builder Robert Hamke upon his retirement. (Robert Hamke sadly passed away in July 2020.) They then partnered with Kyle Busch’s Rowdy Manufacturing brand, channeling their efforts into Super Late Models. While Kyle Busch maintains an affiliation with the venture, he is not an owner. Today, Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc employs a dedicated team of 12, incorporating experienced personnel from the original Hamke operation.
Simplifying for Superior Performance with Rowdy Chassis by Hamke
Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc’s philosophy in constructing the Rowdy chassis centers on simplifying designs that General Manager Glick believes had become overly complicated for racers.
“We’re taking out over-complicated engineering to make it simple again for the average racer,” Glick explained. “Repeatability is key for us. We spend tens of thousands of dollars on fixturing to make sure that happens. So, if you buy one chassis from us and then a second, you can take the shocks and springs off one and put them on the other and hit the race track driving.”
This approach resonates strongly with racers like Matthew Craig, a 21-year-old champion with five Super Late Model titles to his name.
“The Rowdy cars have been really great,” Craig shared. “They’re easy to work on. What I like most is that, at the track, if you make an adjustment, you can really feel the changes. It makes it a lot easier to dial in the car.”
Oertel and Glick are committed to making racing more affordable without sacrificing safety or performance. Glick also mentioned that the Rowdy chassis incorporates unique aerodynamic features, which he preferred not to disclose publicly.
“We don’t spare expense, but we don’t exaggerate it, either,” said Oertel, highlighting Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc’s commitment to quality and value.
Despite significant investments in state-of-the-art equipment, Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc considers its team of 12 employees as its most valuable asset. This core group of skilled technicians is highly praised by both management and customers.
“Racers see Cody and me, but they don’t usually see the faces of the people who make it possible for us to do our jobs,” Oertel acknowledged.
“We could not do this without them,” Glick reiterated. “They’re the heart and soul of this place.”
Racers like Jurkovic have noticed this dedication to quality. Beyond the safety aspects, he appreciates the engineering and build excellence of Rowdy cars from Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc.
“I’ve gotten to know the crew pretty well,” Jurkovic stated. “Everything they do is top quality. The welders are great. The craftsmanship is amazing. I do not think you’re going to get better equipment or support. I wish I had this stuff 20 years ago!”
Unwavering Customer Support Network by Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc
Oertel and Glick view the Rowdy chassis as more than just a race car; it’s a comprehensive racing solution backed by an exceptional support network. While acknowledging other manufacturers’ efforts in track support, they believe Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc elevates this aspect to a new level. The on-track support they provide fuels continuous development, benefiting all Rowdy drivers.
This feedback loop is crucial to Rowdy’s growth, constantly refining and improving the product. Glick explained that this supportive environment also attracts new drivers to the sport.
“They want to help all the Rowdy cars get better,” Craig noted. “They always come to you on the track to see how you’re doing and to offer help. They bring all the Rowdy drivers together. So, you get four to five teams adding their input and more people working toward making the cars better.”
“Their input is great,” Jurkovic agreed, “and their knowledge is second to none.”
Continuous Commitment to Driver Safety Innovation
Safety remains a central theme at Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc. Oertel and Glick consistently bring the focus back to driver safety, emphasizing that advancements in this area are ongoing and relentless. Even after the impressive safety performance in Jurkovic’s crash, they view every incident as an opportunity for further refinement and improvement.
“Any advancements we’ve made since starting in December 2018 have focused on keeping the driver safe,” Oertel stated. “For example, we’ve got steel plates where others don’t.”
Glick also highlighted the use of carbon fiber seats, recognizing that opinions on their benefits vary within the sport. “I think it’s a great seat,” he said. “It’s also the way we mount it that makes it a good, safe seat.”
Glick detailed their enhanced seat mounting system, going beyond the standard two-point mount (back plate and under the legs). “We go one step further and do three,” he explained. “Our seat is mounted with a back plate as well as through the chassis again, right behind the mid-back of the driver, and also under the legs of the driver.”
Oertel and Glick’s drive for innovation is rooted in their combined 20 years of racing experience. “Everything needed to be changed,” Oertel asserted. “Where before it might have taken somebody to get hurt to make a change, we’ve taken the necessary steps to eliminate that situation before somebody got hurt.”
Glick further described their proactive approach, mirroring safety advancements in passenger vehicles. “We’ve thought of worst-case scenarios, such as ‘if the car hit the wall here’ or ‘if it catches on fire’ to try to prevent things we’ve seen in the past and incorporate into our chassis,” he said.
Decisions at Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc are collaborative, leveraging the expertise of their skilled technicians to implement innovative ideas. “It’s a company decision on all things,” Glick affirmed.
Expanding Reach Through Effective Marketing
Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc understands the importance of showcasing their product’s performance. To amplify their message, they have embraced social media under the guidance of Molly Helmuth, owner of 9D Creative. Social media has become a vital component of their marketing strategy.
Helmuth, a former CARS Super Late Model Tour driver, relocated from Seattle, Washington, to North Carolina to manage Rowdy’s social media presence. She has been managing their platforms, website, and other marketing initiatives for over two years.
Helmuth consistently updates the company’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts with engaging content, including photos and videos from races and the shop.
“I like to highlight all the teams, all the pole positions and, of course, any wins. You have to keep the content fresh and relevant to the fans,” Helmuth explained. Her proximity to the shop is advantageous, allowing her to “post up-to-date photos every week since operations move so quickly in the shop.”
A Vision of Continuous Improvement and Growth for Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc
Whether at the shop or the racetrack, Oertel and Glick share a clear vision for Hamke Racecars & Parts Inc and their drivers. Their pursuit of excellence is an ongoing race of continuous learning and improvement.
“It’s a non-stop learning process,” Oertel emphasized, taking a long-term perspective. “On a daily basis, we’re trying to make things better, safer, and more affordable to help racers buy more and be able to race more. That is what’s going to keep us around for the next 20–30 years. Whatever we can do to give back to the sport and help the racers is better for everybody.”
